Update

19 March 2020

Please be assured that if there are any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Northern Territory, a statement will be issued by the Chief Health Officer. If you hear any rumours about cases of COVID-19 in the NT please verify the facts through SecureNT BEFORE sharing it or posting it on social media. This will avoid creating unnecessary panic and undue alarm across our community by spreading false information, remember we are all in this together.

The Prime Minister has announced greater restrictions around gathering in groups to further slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Australia. Organised, non-essential gatherings of more than 500+ people outdoors and 100+ people indoors are not allowed. As a result, more events have been cancelled, postponed or modified. Please access the risk assessment tool on SecureNT if you are in the process of organising a large gathering.

All Australians are now advised not to travel overseas and residents returning home to Australia after international travel will need to self-isolate for 14 days. The Prime Minister announced today that from tomorrow only returning Australian residents will be allowed access into the country.

These measures are designed to keep all Australians safe and well in the face of COVID-19. We are expecting further information and direction to come from the next National Cabinet meeting.

There remains just one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Territory – this person is a tourist visiting Darwin who is currently in isolation in Royal Darwin Hospital. To date, there has still been no community spread of the virus.